TOWSON, Md. --- The Landmark Conference has named 47 student-athletes including four from Moravian College to the 2017-18 Winter All-Sportsmanship Team. The All-Sportsmanship Team includes one student-athlete from each institution for each sport and is selected by the players and coaches from their respective team.
The All-Sportsmanship Team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. The student-athletes selected demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. They are ambassadors for the team, both on and off the field, and galvanize their teammates toward their goals. These student-athletes exhibit respect for themselves, teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, spectators, and the greater campus community.
Of the 47 student-athletes on the All-Sportsmanship Team, four were named All-Landmark. Three student-athletes are repeat selections from a year ago, and were described as leaders and difference-makers on their teams.
The All-Sportsmanship Team was created by the Landmark Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in 2013 as a way to highlight student-athletes who are making an impact. The Landmark previously awarded a Sportsmanship Cup before the All-Sportsmanship Team replaced the Cup for the 2013-14 academic year.
Men's Basketball
Senior guard Matt Cardonne has helped the men's basketball team to an to a school-record 20 wins and the first-ever Landmark Conference title in program history. The Hounds are 20-7 overall and set to play Ramapo College of New Jersey in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament on Friday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. Cardonne has an average of 5.7 points per outing with 43 rebounds, 33 three-pointers, 21 assists and 10 steals this season, and he is tied for ninth in school history with 122 career three-pointers and 100 games played.
"Matt has been a great leader teammate and representative of the Moravian Basketball Program," said Head Coach Justin Potts. "He competes the right way and plays with great passion and respect for the opponent. Matt is very deserving of the honor and it has been a pleasure coaching him the last three years."
Women's Basketball
Senior forward Trista Cunningham was a starting forward for the women's basketball team that finished with a 17-9 record as the Greyhounds reached the Landmark Conference Semifinals. Cunningham started all 26 games for the Hounds and averaged 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game to go along with 40 assists, 23 steals and 18 blocked shots this winter. Cunningham completed her career with 584 points, 403 rebounds, 71 assists, 54 steals and 51 blocked shots for the Greyhounds in 101 games.
"Trista is the ultimate team player. The sportsmanship award was meant for her," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "She is unselfish, coachable, hard-working and positive. Trista's passion and enthusiasm for basketball and life, in general, is infectious. She has been a joy to coach for four years. Her relationship with her teammates, coaches and opponents is one of mutual respect and admiration. I can think of no one more deserving than Trista for this award."
Track & Field
Senior sprinter Eric Morton had an impact for the Greyhounds as they won their ninth straight Landmark Conference Indoor Championship on the men's side. He earned Landmark All-Conference First Team honors as part of the Hounds' winning 4x200-meter relay, and Morton added a third place finished in the 60-meter dash in 7.10 seconds and a third place in the 200-meter dash in 23.19 seconds as he helped score 20 points in Moravian's 61.5-point victory.
Sophomore middle distance runner Katie Mayer helped the Greyhound women return to the top of the podium with the program's 10th Landmark Conference Indoor Championship. She placed fifth in the mile run in a time of 5:31.36 to pick up two points as Moravian won by 38 points. Mayer was also 11th in the 3,000-meter run in 11:25.16.
"We're blessed to have a number of athletes on our team who exemplify sportsmanship and are good representatives of both Moravian College and our track and field program," commented Head Coach Jesse Baumann. "However, Katie and Eric are some of the best examples we have on our team. Both are very knowledgeable of their competition, among the hardest workers and most competitive athletes we have on our team, yet they know how to "flip the switch" and show respect towards their rivals whether they win or lose. They're both mature, good people who will be very successful beyond just track and field, so it's no surprise those character traits are reflected when they're competing."
